Happy Monday! I am so happy that we are working our way towards spring, we had snow again last night and most of today! So for my project this week I am thinking spring, I made an Easter card. The unique thing about this card is that it is a Shadow Box Card made with Graphic 45 papers. The base template for the card is by Lori Whitlock and is available at www.silhouettedesignstore.com. I used the 5 x 7 Mother Shadow Box Card, I eliminated the Mother layer.

I chose to use Graphic 45 papers for this project, I have always been a big fan of their papers and when I saw the two images of the boy and girl holding the bunny that cinched it! A few of their new releases are re-releases of collections. The two collections I used were Once Upon a Springtime and Precious Memories.

First I used the Silhouette America, Silhouette Cameo to cut all the pieces for the card, the one thing that I did differently is I made a mirror image of the base of the card and cut it so I could reinforce it and make it sturdy since this is 3-d card.

The video above shows how to put the card together, my card had one less layer than the template but it worked perfectly! After I had the card assembled I was ready to add the finishing touches. I cut a die cut from Spellbinders Valiant Honor to use on the front of the card. I also cut an oval from Spellbinders Elegant Ovals die set, I stamped the sentiment “Have a blessed Easter” from the JustRite Stampers clear stamp set Rejoice and Be Glad. I used a Verse-A-Mark stamp pad and embossing powder for the sentiment. I used Tim Holtz Distress ink in Tattered Rose and Shabby Shutters to ink the edges of the front of the card, around the sentiment and around the frame.

Next I fussy cut the little boy and the little girl from the Precious Memories paper. I attached them to the inner layers of the card with Angel Craft double sided tape.

Finally I added the sentiment to the top of the card, then added a few flowers, the rose type flowers were assembled from separate petals and adding pearl centers. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished card:

Here is a list of the products that I used that are available on the www.ucutathome.com website:

There’s nothing better than to have a new baby collection be released. I always seem to find a need for baby cards or mini albums, nature just brings these little bundles of joy at a steady rate. Today I’m sharing my latest with you. This mini construction is three pieces of medium weight chipboard front and back measuring 8″ x 6″ with a 2 1/2″ spine. Inside there are eight pages which measure 7 1/2″ x 5 3/4″. Today’s video will show you a walk through of each page, with ideas, hints and tips from me as we go through the pages. I didn’t do a step by step video because it takes a lot of air time for me to be able to share the construction. But, I do have a video series called Tutorial Triple Flip that will show basic construction, how to do the outside covers, the spine and hinges and how to adhere the pages to the hinges. As I go through the video I’ll share ideas on how to add flip ups and outs to the basic construction.

I’ve used Graphic 45’s Precious Memoriescollection in all three paper pad sizes, 12×12″ – 8×8″ -6×6″. I used a Little B die set to frame the focal point from the collection with a blue glitter heavy cardstock. Since the store no longer carries Little B dies you could use any die set of your choice that has graduated sizes so that you’ll have a sizeable width to emphasize the frame. I also cut a few glitter butterflies from the blue glitter to pop over the ones on the paper. After I looked at it a bit I decided to go back and add a butterfly to each page to carry the theme throughout the mini. I’ve finished the front off with some pearls, Glossy Accents and Stickles.

I tried to carry the color theme in each two page spread. I also started out making this mini for a girl but as I progressed things changed and I opted to make it unisex so it would work for either a boy or girl. I’ve done a lot of fussy cutting to form pockets or accents on each page.

To enhance my pages I pulled out a collection of dies like Spellbinders Card Creator A2 Scalloped Borders One shown above. Using these dies (I used two nestled together on these pockets) just gives it such a finished look. In the new collections of Graphic 45 they include templates on both the 12×12″ and 8×8″ on the inside front and back covers. The file folders shown in the pockets are from one of the templates. They hold a set of 3 photo mats but have ample room to include numerous loose photos as well.

Belly bands are just such a fun addition to any mini album page. Here I took strips of peach and blue from the 6×6″ solids and patterns pad and added a piece of flat lace and a strip of blue tiny heart paper. I fussy cut and matted the little girls dress and boys outfit along with one of the little sentiment blocks from the paper to finish dressing up the belly bands, tucking mats behind.

Here I’ve used JustRite Stampers Vintage Labels Eight to cut the frame (which is the negative space left by the mat) on the right hand side. Inside I used the mat on the right and Spellbinders Nestabilities Divine Eloquence die on the left for the mat. This is one of my all time favorites. I’ll list all the dies I used for mats in the Supply List directly following this post. If any of the dies aren’t available in the store anymore you can always substitute any of your favorites to create similar mats.

This mini is filled with lots of little fussy cut pieces. Don’t let the idea of keeping a mat a mat or a sentiment a sentiment from the collections. You can always cut them up, cut them out or put bits and pieces together to form a new piece, that’s the fun of creating your unique individual project. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Rusty Hinge throughout this book. Using cream colored cardstock for the page backs or the mats tied them nicely with the collection by inking the edges with the Rusty Hinge. I also used the Store’s new double side adhesive, Angel Craft Tape in both sizes.

I hope you’ll join me on the video, there are so many additional photos that space didn’t allow me to share with you here. As I said above too I’ll share my tips and tricks and ideas of how to do a mini like mine with you. Supplies are directly below and be sure and stop by my blog as well to say hi.

These medallions are so much fun to use and have all sorts of options. They are so detailed but cut beautifully with the Big Shot and the Sizzix Precision Base Plate. Here’s a video that shows you my cards today:

I absolutely love Graphic 45. One of my favorite collections is Time to Flourish. Today I’m sharing a calendar I made using the 8×8 collection. I made a stand up flip calendar.

You can easily use the Graphic 45 Easel album, which does all the work for you. I have used one in the past, and loved it. I just did not have one on hand at the time I decided to make this. I made this album to serve as a 12 month calendar, but it will also hold photos, receipts, movie tickets, and even journaling. In the end, this will serve as a great memory keeper. To make the stand, I used medium-weight chipboard, and cut two pieces 8 1/4 x 8. I then used a base/bottom piece that was 8 x 2 3/4. Using some heavy cardstock, I added hinges to either side of the base piece, and adhered those to the two sides of my stand. I first edged all my chipboard with Tim Holtz Distress Paint in Walnut stain, to give my edges a finished look. Then I covered my two side pieces front and back with patterned paper, and using Angel Craft Tape. This is a very strong tape, which is great for this type of project. Because I had the Home Sweet Home collection in 12×12 I used that to cover my side pieces, cutting those to 8 1/4 x 8. I love that G45 papers all seem to coordinate so well. I adhered three sides of the patterned paper to the chipboard, leaving the bottom un-adhered…this way I could add my tab to it. I attached one tab to one side, then leaving the other side unattached, until my book was bound. I used the Cinch to bind the top of my book together, adding my Time to Flourish papers (8 1/4″ tall x 8 wide) on the inside, and also adding a front and back cover to the album. What I choose to do, was add half the year to one side of the book (Jan-Jun, then July-Dec), and the other half to the other side, this way my book will not be too heavy on one side. In the end, the stand ended up being very sturdy, and does not fall over when all the pages are turned to one side, but I like the look of the way I did it. It balances it out perfectly. I added a couple of the cut out’s from Sweet Sentiments, and distressing the edges with Tim Holtz Festive Berries, and Spun Sugar, using a Tim Holtz Blending tool.

To the front page of my calendar, I wanted a “title page”. I used a Tim Holtz Bigz die. I used the Hanging Sign die (currently on special). I ran that through my Sizzix Big Shot machine, first cutting light-weight chipboard, then the patterned paper. I then added an Ali Edwards stamp to the front of that. That reads “Everyday Life”.

I added flat-back pearls as my ‘chain’. I also added a cluster of Wild Orchid Craft flowers and leaves. To the back of that page, I used my Silhouette Cameo, and cut out a journal pocket, and stamped “Dream the Impossible” from JustRite Stampers. This is a beautiful stamp set. I also added a large coin-envelope to the back page, perfect for adding more photos, receipts, movie stubs…anything the recipient would like.

To the back of every month, I added a 6×5 photo mat using the 6×6 pad from Home sweet Home. Easy for someone to add their photos to.

If you’d like to see a full process video on this, please click on the video below.

Today I have another fun Sizzix die that I want to show you. This is the Basket #2 die by designer Lori Whitlock. I made two versions — one for St. Patrick’s Day and the other for Easter.

The best part is that these baskets are so very easy to make. They’re a perfect family project!

The Basket #2 die is one of the Bigz L dies. That means it is one of the thicker Sizzix dies, so it will run best on your Big Shot (or Big Kick or Vagabond). Cutting is very easy. You need two of the main basket piece and one of the handle. Double-sided cardstock works best — that way you get a great decorative finish inside the basket and outside. One 12×12 sheet of cardstock is needed for each basket (there will be left-over pieces that you can use for card making or other projects). In the cutting process, the die also scores the paper for perfect folding. A premium crease pad is recommended for this die, although it is not absolutely essential. My experience was that without the crease pad, the score lines were pretty faint and somewhat difficult to find — of course that was not an issue once I did use the crease pad.

Assembly of the basket is very easy. You’ll fold each of the main pieces along the score lines. Place 1/4″ Angel Craft tape on the base of one side of the basket, and then adhere it to the other basket piece. Essentially the bottom and the ends of the basket are then a double layer of card stock. This will provide support for even the heavier treats or gifts that you might want to place in the basket. To finish the basket, place a brad through the basket handle, and then through the middle section of one of the sides. Place the brad through the other two side panels of the basket. Once you open the ends of the brad, that side of the basket is secure. You’ll follow the same process for the other side of the basket. It’s that easy! Then you just have to decorate the basket . . . Please see the short video for a look at how to assemble the baskets.

Decoration is very easy. For my St. Patrick’s Day basket, I wanted to use a decorative handle. I put one together easily using some of the components from the Spellbinders Celtic Motifs die set. This die set is beautiful, and made a great handle here. I cut two matching pieces for the ends of the handle, and one center piece. I attached each of these using tiny brads (these are the same color as the brads that I used to assemble the basket). I also added a motif (this time from the Spellbinders Celtic Accents die set) to the side of each basket just below the brad. Here’s what the basket looks like (without the leprechaun and the gold pieces) —

Here’s the finished basket —

The Easter Basket was even easier. I used the handle that is a part of the die set, so there was no extra cutting needed. I simply assembled the basket as described above, and added a ribbon. Here are some pics of the basket without the flowers and jelly bean eggs (how cute are they???) —

Here is the decorated basket. complete with jelly bean eggs —

This basket is so easy and so versatile that it can be used for any holiday or other occasion. It is even a perfect size to hold small gifts, etc. I know that you’ll use it again and again!

The Deal of the Week is Embossing Folders at 30% off from Darice and Nellie’s Choice! Embossing Folders turn an ordinary piece of paper into an embossed masterpiece! They are compatible with all your leading die-cutting and embossing machines and give you quality impressions each and every time you crank the handle! Give them a try!